Location: Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY & Grand Street, Manhattan, NY
Mission: Recess is an artists’ workspace open to the public. At once a studio and exhibition space, Recess presents ambitious projects that embrace experimentation and focus on process.
Our signature program, Session, invites artists to use our storefront space to realize long-term projects that take advantage of our built-in public audience. In addition to Session, Recess hosts performances, classes, event series and online programs.
Recess’s mission is to support the rigorous process of the contemporary artist by creating a space for productive activity that initiates a partnership with the public.
Our model combines studio and exhibition platforms, offering artists flexible space in which to generate new work. With agency to determine the visibility of their project and the parameters of its presentation, Recess artists realize ambitious goals in dialogue with an inquisitive audience.
Free and open to the public, Recess offers critical exposure for the artists we support while fostering an approachable environment that promotes valuable visual and intellectual interactions.
Cost: Session artists receive an honorarium as well as a project stipend based on the material needs of their Session. At this time, we cannot offer financial support for living, travel and accommodations. The honorarium can be spent however you see fit.
Application Fee: Free
Number of Artists: Up to 2 artists at a time
Accommodations: At this time, we cannot offer financial support for living, travel and accommodations. The honorarium can be spent however you see fit.
Artists have access to their space 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the full duration of their Session and are expected to work on a daily basis or the equivalent of at least twenty hours per week. Session artists will also receive individualized support from Recess staff as well as visits from members of Recess’s Studio Advisory Committee, which is comprised of a small group of gallerists, curators, and academics who are all leaders in the field.
Recess is currently operating out of two spaces. Applicants can indicate if they have a preference between the spaces.
Soho: Recess’s original space is located at 41 Grand Street in Soho, one of New York City’s first artist communities. The 1,200 square-foot space features high ceilings and natural light from the glass storefront that links artists to the street, the neighborhood, and the public. In addition, this space offers wifi, a kitchenette, and portion of our basement given over completely to Session artists to store materials and tools for their project. To see photos and a floor plan of the space visit our Flickr page. Public hours in Soho are Tuesday – Saturday 12-6; Thursday 2-8.
Red Hook: In 2012, Recess was invited by Dustin Yellin to open an additional space for Session at the new arts space, The Intercourse. This 20,000 square foot building is located on Pioneer Street in Red Hook, one of Brooklyn’s preeminent arts destination. Sessions in Red Hook occupy a 500 square foot project space with high ceilings, abundant natural light and wifi. The project room is located on the second floor, which overlooks the exhibition space below. The building features an outdoor sculpture garden, loading dock, gallery, several artists’ studios, a wood shop, a scientist in residence and Yellin’s office. The space is kept active with a community of artists, collectors, and patrons as well as wide-ranging events, classes, and arts programming. To see photos, visit our Flickr Page. Public hours in Red Hook are: Thurs-Sun 12-6, Wed 12-11pm.
Length of Stay: 2 – 3 months
Demographic: Emerging and Mid-Career Visual Artists. International applicants may apply but must have a valid work visa and US SSN.
Medium: Site-specific artists, installation artists, performance artists, and process-based artists
Benefits: Studio space, exhibition space, built-in audience, public interaction, project and materials funded, events, classes, arts programming, and the realization of an ambitious project
Deadline: March 15, 2013
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